Vision goggles use starting at an early age

When children are packed for summer camp, not always sunglasses supply list. But I made them a priority for my 12 year old son Carson, who has just started the rowing camp in Florida, for two reasons:

   * Our eyes are the most vulnerable to ultraviolet rays of the sun in our teens, 20s, and 30s, but the damage does not usually appear until later in life.

   * The sun's rays are especially strong around reflective surfaces.

"If you spend time near the water, the beach or in the snow, sunlight bouncing off these surfaces and in the eye," said Dr. Louis Pasquale. It is an ophthalmologist at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary.

The sun's ultraviolet rays can damage the eyes. However, experts do not know exactly how UV rays damage the eyes, and some even wonder if the sunlight directly causes common eye conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration according to Dr. Pasquale.  

Cataracts are a clouding of the eye, causing blurred vision. Glaucoma is an increased pressure in the eye, which can damage the optic nerve and cause blindness. The macular degeneration progressively destroys the macula, the part of the eye which provides central vision.

But there is good evidence that exposure to sunlight may cause exfoliation syndrome, which, in turn, can lead to impaired vision. As I write in the June 2015 Harvard Health Letter, exfoliation syndrome involves the production of small flakes of dandruff and inside of the eye. As they accumulate, these scales can clog the natural drainage of the eye, which can lead to other problems.

Overall, the exfoliation syndrome is the most common identifiable cause of secondary open-angle glaucoma and secondary angle closure glaucoma. exfoliation syndrome is also linked to cataracts and possibly macular degeneration. "Research has shown that women between the ages of 15 and 24 spend 10 hours a week in the sun seems to have a double risk of exfoliation syndrome compared to those who spend two or three hours a week in the sun," says Dr. Pasquale. 

Use goggles
 Protect your eyes from harmful sun rays is a good strategy at any age. You do not have to spend a bundle to get a good pair of sunglasses. But you must know what to look for in the lenses. Most important: protection against ultraviolet rays, UVA and UVB. You want a lock 95% to 100%. Also look for polarized lenses; to reduce glare from water, sand and snow.

But buyer beware: the manufacturers are not required to disclose or UV protection guarantee. "You can be sure that a pair of cheap pharmacy sunglasses really give protection, even if it promises a lock on the label," says Thomas Merrill, a Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary optics. It is recommended go to an optical shop where you can get a guide to help you choose a good quality product. Even if you do not need a pair of sunglasses, you can still benefit from counseling to experts, especially if you already have eye damage.

If you wear glasses and you do not want to buy sunglasses, buy sunglasses that fit over your regular glasses. "This gives protection against the top and sides, and is more comfortable for the eyes, especially if you're in the water," says Merrill. A couple of these usually cost around $ 50.

Add early detection, as
 In addition to protecting your eyes against ultraviolet rays, another way to stop the cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration to steal your vision is to find these conditions before they cause problems. You can do this with a complete eye exam. This involves dilating the eyes to open students to a doctor can examine the back of the eye in the retina. He or she will also check the pressure in your eyes, look at his muscle structure and function and correct vision problems if necessary.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends a comprehensive review of both for four years for those between 40 and 55 years, every one to three years for those aged 55-65, and every one to two years for people 65 years or older. People with risk factors for eye problems - people with diabetes, for example - may need more frequent exams view. Young adults need comprehensive eye examinations less often - at least once between the ages of 20 and 29, and at least twice between the ages of 30 and 39. Children and adolescents should have their eyes examined every one two years by your family doctor, and visit an ophthalmologist if you need evaluation.

Eye protection minors

Carson decided he needed sunglasses - especially a pair that looked cool. We went hunting for sports glasses with UV protection, which we found rather quickly. Not break the bank, and gave me some peace of mind that my child's eyes are protected while cutting through the water.